Museums are generally engaged in the acquisition, conservation and exhibition of culturally significant objects. The Australian Culture and Leisure Classifications (ACLC) groups museums into two categories: Art museums (i.e. public art galleries); and Other museums - the latter a more diverse group which encompasses natural science, applied science, history and transport museums and Indigenous keeping places amongst others.

This chapter draws together information from the ABS' attendance and industry surveys and from its Census of Population and Housing to provide some details of the demand for museum services and the operations of museums which try to satisfy these demands. Supplementary data has been obtained from the Australian Heritage Council.

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